A
skylight will open the ceiling to more light and raise a portion of the ceiling,
visually expanding the space. Likewise, eliminating any soffits above the cabinets,
leaving it open for display space will allow the eye to follow a wider ceiling.
Light colored cabinets; open shelves and glass-fronted doors will help to lighten
the space.
What
are the most popular cabinet woods and finishes.
For the past year,
the good old standby oak has fallen into second place with consumers. At the top
of the list is maple. The grain is much finer and the finished product has the
appearance of fine furniture. The natural color or a pale stain is most poplar
but this wood lends itself well to painted or glazed finishes. Cream, bisque,
mossy greens and blues are the most prominent colors used by designers. Trendy
finishes and color tend to vary from one geographic location to the other. What
might be very popular and quite suitable in Florida or the South West might look
very much out of place in the North East!
Working in the kitchen tips
Butter
the pouring lip of a measuring cup or pitcher to prevent dribbling.
Or spray
the lip with nonstick cooking spray.
After chopping garlic or onions,
run a lemon quarter over both the knife blade and the cutting board to remove
the odor.
To deodorize a plastic storage container in which onions or
garlic were stored, wash thoroughly, then stuff a crumpled piece of newspaper
in the container, and snap on the lid. In a few days the smell will disappear.
If something
spills over in your oven, first sprinkle it with salt and remove with a metal
spatula, then wipe with a damp sponge.
Pans
and dishes that have been used for mixing, beating, or cooking eggs [or milk or
cheese] should be first rinsed with cold water, then washed with hot soapy water.
A hot rinse "cooks" the eggs and makes things tougher to clean.
To
brighten aluminum cookware, add 1 to 2 quarts water and 2 to 4 tablespoons cream
of tartar and boil 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse, scour lightly with a steel-wool soap
pad, then rinse again.
To
remove pesky bottle tops and jar lids, don a pair of rubber gloves. Or twist a
fat rubber band around the lid, then twist open. Works like a charm.
Keep
bottled lemon or lime juice or strong acidulated water (2 tablespoons lemon juice
per 1 quart water) in a spray mister in the refrigerator and spray on cut apples,
avocados, peaches, and pears, etc., to prevent browning
Three
remedies for garlic breath: Eat fresh parsley, chew on a coffee bean, eat a bowl
of lime sherbet.
